Amosun recalls state NLC chairman, three dismissed workers

THE Ogun State Governor,  Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has recalled Comrade Akeem Ambali, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) into the state workforce.

Others reinstated on the approval of the governor were, Mr Adegbenro Jolaolu; Mr Emmanuel Asegbe and Miss Taylor Oluwatomiwa who were sacked in 2015 from service over an examination question believed to be offensive and too critical of the state government.

Ambali was dismissed by the state government based on the recommendation of a panel of enquiry set up to investigate the alleged misconduct of the NLC boss and some of its officials during the 2016 World Teachers Day Celebration.

The announcement of their reinstatement was contained In a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the government and the organised labour led by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, after an exhaustive meeting with Amosun and labour leaders.

Nigerian Tribune recalls that the NLC leadership had planned to embark on a protest over alleged anti-workers policies of the state government, but had to put it on hold pending the outcome of a meeting between labour and government.

The state governor on Monday evening met with the labour leaders at his Oke-Mosan office, however, the meeting was reported to be inconclusive and was reconvened on Tuesday morning.

Amosun was said to have on compassionate ground approved the reinstatement of Ambali into the service with immediate effect following interventions by the leadership of organised labour and the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed by the latter from the court.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the state government by the Head of Service, Engr Lanre Bisiriyu and Mrs Titilayo Dosunmu, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training.

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While Comrade Wabba; the Secretary-General, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Musa Lawal-Ozigi; the state chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Abiodun Olakanmi and state TUC chairman, Comrade Bunmi Fajobi jointly signed on behalf of labour.

Governor Amosun according to the MoU assured the organised labour that all outstanding cooperative deductions leave bonus and other global deductions would be paid by end of April.

The MoU reads,” The organised labour expressed their appreciation to His Excellency for the fatherly way he resolved the lingering issues amicably and promised that this gesture will further gear up the entire workforce of Ogun State towards improves productivity.”

Wabba, while addressing agitated workers who marched in protest towards the Governor’s office, having waited several hours to know the outcome of the meeting of labour leaders with the government, confirmed the reinstatement of Ambali and other workers.

He told them that the governor assured that all deductions accumulated to the tune of N8billlion would be offset before the expiration of his administration.

On the deductions, he said the Governor has promised to settle all which has accumulated to 8 billion Naira by March ending.

Reacting to his reinstatement and that of other three officials, Ambali, thanked the governor for his magnanimity in recalling them.

He promised that the state workforce would continue to put in their best to the service of the state.